Clinically Significant Cross-Reactivities among Allergens

Abstract

Crossreactivity of IgE antibodies are occasionally unexpected and confusing. Moreover, the implications are not always the same. Some types of serologic crossreactivities usually produce clinical symptoms, whereas other do not. Even the latter type may be relevant, as it may contribute to the induction of immune responses to the crossreactive antigens (‘crossreactive priming’). For the interpretation of IgE antibody assays it is important to appreciate that finding IgE antibodies to some allergen does not imply that the patient has ever been exposed to that allergen.

Isolation and characterization of an olive allergen‐like protein from lilac pollen

“…The characterization of protein allergens of pollens from related plants is of great interest since cross-reactions may play a role in the induction of immune responses [9]. Moreover, the cloning of allergens is an interesting strategy for the recombinant production of well defined and homogeneous proteins to be used in research and therapy [lo], since it is difficult to obtain reproducible preparations of allergens from their natural sources.…”

Immunological Cross-Reactivity of the Major Allergen from Perennial Ryegrass <i>(Lolium perenne</i><i>)</i>, <i>Lol</i> <i>p</i> I, and the Cysteine Proteinase, Bromelain

“…It was additionally predicted from results in the above studies that the carbohydrate structure of bromelain may be similar to the ryegrass allergens, a finding which has coincidentally been vindicated in the present study. The glycosyl moiety of the major allergen from the olive tree (Olea europea) was previously found to be a major antigenic and allergenic determinant [12] and antibodies to this allergen have been found to cross-react strongly with grass pollens, including L.perenne [13], Potential cross-reactions, which may confuse the diagnostic picture in particular, therefore appear likely to occur with regard to the allergens studied here and cross-reactive sensitization [14] between these al lergens and others cannot be ruled out.…”

Differential Immune-Reactivity and Subcellular Distribution Reveal the Multifunctional Character of Profilin in Pollen as Major Effect of Sequences Polymorphism

“…On the other hand, profilins are also able to elicit allergic responses highly specific by recognition of specific epitopes (immuno-dominant regions of recognition and interaction with B cells and T of the human immune system). IgE antibody production by B lymphocytes IgE-mediated response plays a major role in cross-reactivity between allergens and the symptoms of allergy (Aalberse et al 1992). However, in addition to humoral responses, has been shown that the cross-reactivity also attends through humoral responses mediated by T cells, i.e.…”